Choosing a Blog Name: Two WordPressers Share Their Stories

 

You’ve been thinking about starting a new blog, but you’re just not sure of one thing: what to name it. WordPressers around the world wrestle with this very important question and over at The Daily Post, we’ve been sharing the secrets behind how bloggers choose to name their online home. Today, we’re excited about sharing the backstory behind two WordPress.com blogs and how they got their names.

Flights. Camera. Satisfaction.

flghtscamerasatisfaction

Ben Whittard of Flights. Camera. Satisfaction.

Ben Whittard of Flights. Camera. Satisfaction.

Ben Whittard is a British expat living in Switzerland who documents his travels in photography at Flights. Camera. Satisfaction.

“I love how photography has changed the way I see the world. When I have a camera in my hands I feel closer to the environment, closer to people and more connected to everything I see,” says Ben. “Combined with a love of travel, I really could not be more satisfied! My writing focuses on the places I’ve been, how I’ve seen them through the lens and how photography continues to enhance my travel experience.”

Ben says his blog’s name was the result of trying to convey his love of travel and photography.

“I was trying to think of well-known, catchy phrases that could be adapted to describe my passion for travel and photography in a few simple words,” says Ben. “Initially I thought of “Flights. Camera. Action.” but after a bit of Googling I found that had already been used. So I started searching for words that rhymed with action and voilà! Flights. Camera. Satisfaction. was born.”

Flights. Camera. Satisfaction. extends beyond WordPress.com and Ben has used the same name or a shortened variation as part of maintaining a consistent online presence. For example, Ben’s Twitter handle is @FlightsCamera. He maintains a Facebook page for his site as well.

“A consistent presence across the web is crucial for a strong brand, so I’ve used my blog name on most social networks. Where possible I’ve tried to create a link between Flights. Camera. Satisfaction. and my personal profile,” says Ben. It’s important that people can identify me as the blog author, and I think it helps build a better connection with my audience.”

Witty or Not, Here I Come


wittyornot Cassie Ronda blogs for the love of telling a good story over at Witty or Not, Here I Come. In addition to being a creative outlet to record the hilarious situations of everyday life, her blog has helped her cope with adversity.

“I love to entertain people with self-deprecating stories from my life, so this blog represents the written manifestation of those stories,” says Cassie. “Looking for humor in all situations has actually helped me get through some difficult times; for example, after I suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of my college volleyball career, I decided to start a blog series about my surgery and the recovery process.

Now, when I look back on that period I only remember the parts I chose to write about: the hilarious crutching mishaps, the strange painkiller-induced moods, etc.

But my stories don’t all come from unfortunate experiences — I’ve also written about crashing a Pagan Pride Day, being attacked by a squirrel, and encountering hazardous humans. When I do throw in thoughtful pieces, they’re usually about people I’ve observed, like a professor, a lead-singer of a band, or that kid who keeps following me around and eating sand.”

When it came to coming up with a name for her blog, Cassie had a few goals in mind.

“While brainstorming a new blog name, I had three goals:

  1. The name needed to allow for flexibility in the subject and tone of my posts.
  2. It needed to be something that would be relevant for a long time (fingers crossed).
  3. Most importantly, it needed to be a pun!
Cassie Ronda of Witty or Not, Here I Come.

Cassie Ronda of Witty or Not, Here I Come.

(I like puns.) I spent several hours one night coming up with words to describe my writing style, e.g., “witty” (I hope), and fitting them into different phrases,” says Cassie. “I would then text-bomb all of my family members with every single idea that popped into my head until they responded with their favorites.

“Fit and Witty” was one of the finalists until I realized that it might be mistaken for an exercise blog. I like my final choice — Witty or Not, Here I Come — because while I really enjoy writing humorous pieces, this permits me to throw a more thoughtful piece in there every once in a while. It also implies that I’m going to keep writing whether you like it or not…”

And Now, Over to You

As you can see from Ben’s and Cassie’s blog naming stories, coming up with a great name for your blog is one part creativity and one part perseverance. Don’t be shy about asking friends and family for their feedback on your ideas. You never know, one of them might just come up a perfect name you hadn’t thought of yet.

Other Blog Naming Stories You May Also Like

  • The Importance of Being Serbian
  • She’s a Maineiac
  • Bring Me the Head of David Dixon
  • The Goat that Wrote
  • Museum in a Bottle
  • Talking Covers

Filed under: Better Blogging, Customization

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